Feist to perform at Little 500 concert

Grammy-nominated Feist will perform during Little 500. She will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 11 at the IU Auditorium. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

They've seen her in magazines, on VH1 and in commercials for the latest iPod, but now IU students will be able to see Grammy Award-nominated singer Feist live at the IU Auditorium.

The Union Board and Spirit of '68 Promotions announced Monday that Feist will performed at the 2008 Little 500 Concert at 7:30 p.m. April 11. Union Board Concerts Director Kathy Cook said Union Board is happy to have a fresh artist.

"Her career's really taken off this year," Cook said. "We usually have a rock band and a rowdy concert," but the board thought it would appeal to the tastes of those who wanted something a little different, Cook said.

Dan Coleman, president of Spirit of '68 Promotions, said he thought Feist would be great for the Little 500 show because of her success in the last few years.

"The Little 500 is the world's greatest college weekend and Feist is arguably the biggest star in the world right now, so I thought it'd be a good fit," Coleman said.

Feist is nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, and Spin Magazine chose her as the Breakout Artist of the Year. However, Cook said Union Board based its decision on who people are listening to and what acts were available.

"We talk to people on campus, see who people are listening to and see who's on tour," Cook said. "We actually decided earlier than usual. Sometimes it's kind of a crunch."

Cook said the singer is a departure from acts IU has had in the past, such as last year's O.A.R., because she is not as mainstream. However, Cook said Feist could be compared to 2006's Wilco show.

"Wilco was a little outside the box, but was really popular and it sold out," Cook said.

Even though Union Board has experimented with new acts before, not all students believe Feist was the right choice. Freshman Zack Slater said he has never heard of Feist and would rather see a big name, like Green Day or the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

"I don't think (students) will be happy," Slater said. "You can't expect them to be happy with someone they don't know."

Freshman Danielle Fleischman had a different reaction. She said choosing an Indie rock artist like Feist is a testament to what students are really listening to.

"She's a good singer and talented artist," Fleischman said. "I don't know anyone who doesn't like what they've heard of her."

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the IU Auditorium box office, Ticketmaster locations or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com or http://www.iuauditorium.com. Tickets are $25 with an IU ID and $28 for the general public.